·WHO’S GOING TO CHALLENGE FOR THE CHASE?The question has to be asked:who currently outside the Top 12 can mount a
challenge to displace one of the current occupants? Dale Jr. might dink his way
into the T12, especially if someone falters, and he might have to, with only
one top five and four Top 10s in 16 races. Clint Bowyer is capable but the #33
car of late has been mediocre at best. Kasey Kahne, a
lame duck in the #9 car, lurks 151 points out in 18th place, and is
capable of scoring points in bunches.

·WHO MIGHT FALL OUT OF THE T12:Mark Martin (+72) and Carl Edwards (+57) have
to rank at the top of the list. Neither has a podium finish this year, but Mark
outdoes Carl in top 5s, 5-1. Edwards has been getting by on avoiding disaster.